Explosive-engine.



-No. 632,859. Patented Sept. [2, I899. J. WALRATH.

EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

(Application filed Aug. 29. 1898.

(No Model.) 5-Sheets-Sheet l.

1):: Mom: 7mm cu. mroumo. wasnmml'u a.

No. 632,859. Patented Sept. l2, I899. J. WALBATH. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. (Application filed Aug. 29, 1898.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No llodel.)

nuenfoz.

No. 632,859. Patented Sept. l2, I899.

J. WALBATH.

EXPLOSIVE Enema.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1898. y (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet a Patented se t. l2, I899.

7 J. WALRATH.

EXPLDSIVE ENGINE.

(Application filed Aug. 29, 1898.!

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 (No Model.)

.M m m V W m m m m m m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Y JESSE \VALRATH, OF RAOINE, \VISCONSIN.

EXPLOSlVE-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,859, dated September 12, 1899.

Application filed August 29, 189E,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESsE W'ALRATH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertaius to make and use the same.

My invent-ion is an improvement in explosive-engines; and it consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the best form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, the said invention being fully disclosed in the following description and claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation of a gas-engine embodying my invention, parts being shown in section and the detachable cover for the valve and igniter actuating mechanism being removed. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section through the machine perpendicular to the main shaft, the valve-chest being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 represents a top plan view of the machine with the balance-wheel removed. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the valve-chest, showing the valves and one part ofthe igniter. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing the valveactuating mechanism and its connection with the main shaft. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view in perspective of the casting or bracket for carrying the valve and igniter actuating mechanism,also showing the detachable cover which is adapted to be secured thereto. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional'view of the valves controlling the inlet of air, explosive material, and the explosive mixture to the valve-chest. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the connection between the upper and lower portions of the revolving igniter-stem. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of the valve-chest with its cover removed, showing the two parts of the igniter mechanism and the valve controlling the exhaust. Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the outer end of the oscillating igniter-stem and the retractingspring therefor.

Fig. ll

Serial No. 689,744. (No model.\

is a horizontal sectional view on line 11 11 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the main frame or base of the engine, which consists of a hollow rectangular frame or casing provided at its sides with alined apertures a, through which the main or crank shaft passes, an aperture to in its lQtlfWftll communicating with the atmosphere by means of a pipe a a rectangular aperture a in its front wall, and an aperture 00' in its top wall to receive the engine-cylinder B.

C represents the crank-shaft, which is journaled in suit-able bearings c, bolted to the sides of the base A, the said shaft extending through the aperture a in the base and being provided within the base with a crank c in line with the cylinder 13. The shaft 0 is provided without the base A with the balancewheel G and within the base with a drivingpinion for operating the valve and igniter actuating mechanism.

D represents a plate or casting adapted to be secured to the base A and provided with flanges extending into the interior of the base,

having bearings formed therein to support the mechanism for actuating the valves and igniter. The plate D is breferably ofrectangular shape, provided with a central opening at, at one end of which is the perpendicular flange (1, provided with bearings 61 61 01 At the other end of the aperture (Z is a parallel flange cl of less area than the flange d provided with bearings d and (1 E represents a shaft, which for conveniencel term the cam-shaft, journaled in the bearings d d of the aforesaid flanges. Upon the shaft E and adjacent to the flange cl is keyed the gearwheel e, which meshes with an idle pinion e, mounted upon a stud 6 secured in the bearin g-apertu re d of the flange d. The construction and arrangement of these parts is such that when the plate or casting D is bolted to the base with the flanges d (1 extending through the aperture a int-0 the interior of the base the idle pinion will mesh with the drivin g-pinion c upon the crank-shaft, so that motion will be transmitted from the crankshaft to the cam-shaft E.

E and E are the cams for operating the vided with a beveled pinion E for driving the revolving igniter-shaft, as hereinafter described.

e represents a horizontal stationary shaft mounted in the bearing-apertures (Z (Z of the aforesaid flanges and provided-with two independently-movable arms e 6 which I term the valve-lifters. Each of these arms or Valve-lifters is provided with a sleeve, which engages pivotally the shaft 6 and with downwardly-extending flanges at its free end, between which a friction-roll e is mounted. Each of these friction-rolls rests upon one of the cams E E so that the valve-lifters are made to rise and fall as their friction-rolls traverse the grades of the said cams. The valve-stems are mounted in vertical guides directly above their respective lifters, but are not directly connected therewith, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

D represents a closing plate or cover adapted to be bolted to the plate or casting D to cover the aperture d therein. It will thus be seen that by removing the closing-plateD the mechanism for operating the valves and igniter is exposed to view and the operator can reach in through the large opening d for the purpose of adjusting the cams or other working parts. It will also be seen that by removing the bolts which secure the plate or casting D in position the entire casting, together with the cam-shaft, the parts carried thereby, the idle pinion, and valve-lifters, can all be withdrawn from the base for the purpose of adjusting or repairing the parts, thus obviating the necessity of working within the base for these purposes. The casting D and the mechanism carried thereby can be removed and replaced without interfering with any other parts of the engine, as the only connection between this mechanism and the other parts is the intermeshing of the idle pinion c with the driving-pinion 0 The cylinder B is provided with the usual water-j acket b, removable head Z), and a hood b fitted upon the removable head and provided with peripheral apertures b Adjacent to its lower end the cylinder is provided with a flange which engages the edges of the apertu re a in the top of the base and is provided with bolts for securing the cylinder to the base.

13' represents the piston working in the cylinder B and provided with a piston-rod B connected at its lower end to the crank o of the crank-shaft G.

F represents the valve-chest, which is bolted to the cylinder and is provided with waterspacesf, preferably communicating with the water-jacket of the cylinder. The val ve-chest valve-chest into the cylinder, and f f are the inlet and exhaust ports, respectively. Where the inlet and exhaust ports communicate with the upper part of the valve-chest, the valve-seats f are provided, which are engaged by the inlet-valve f and exhaustvalve f These valves are provided with rigid stems f and f respectively, which are mounted in vertical guides formed in the lower part of the valve-chest and in the upper part of the base A, the said stems extending to and having their lower ends directly above the valve-lifters e and 6 as shown in Fig. 1. In order to hold the valves firmly on their seats and to close them when they have been raised by the valve-lifters, each of the valvestems is'provided with a spiral springf the upper end of which engages the lower face of the valve-chest, while the lower end engages an adjustable clamping-collarf consisting, in this instance, of a split collar provided with a clamping-screw. By adjusting these collars upon the valve-stems the tension of the springs f can be varied as required.

G represents the vertical rotating igniter stem or shaft, which is mounted in a vertical bearing in the valve-chest between the two valves f and f the upper end of said stem being split to receive an electrode g, which is adjustably clamped in position by means of a clamping-screw. g. The said igniter shaft or stem is divided into two parts, the upper part extending to a point below the bottom of the valve-chest and provided at its lower end with a split collar 9 which is clamped rigidly thereto by means of a screw or bolt. The collar 9 (see particularly Fig. 8) extends below the end of the upper section of the igniterstem and is provided with means. for engaging the lower section G, which will enable the upper section to be rotated with the lower section and yet be capable of moving vertically with respect to the lower section. In this instance the lower section G is provided with a feather 9 which engages a key-seat in the collar g The lower section G extends through the top of the base A, within which it is mounted in a suitable bearing and is provided on its lower end with a beveled pinion G meshing with the beveled pinion E on the cam-shaft E, whereby continuous rotary motion is imparted to the vertical ignitershaft when the engine isin operation.

In order to prevent the possibility of the spring exerting any downward pressure on the lower section G of the shaft and causing g and to provide the clamping-collar g with a transverse pin g passing through the collar and engaging said groove or recess 9, so that the collar 1 is positively held from moving downward on the upper section of the igniter-shaft. It follows from this construction that the pressure of the spring 9- cannot be communicated to the lower section G of the igniter-shaft.

H represents the horizontal oscillating igniter-stem, which is journaled in a sleeve bearing h, secured to one side of the valvechest and insulated therefrom by an insulated packing h, the said stem H extending into the interior of the valve-chest and being provided with a split portion, in which is located an electrode 72, which is adj ustably clamped by means of a screw 72, At its outer end the stem H is provided with a perpendicular arm h, and I provide a spring of peculiar construction for engaging this arm and holding the stem and its electrode normallyin a certain position. The sleeve his provided at its outer end with a downward ly-extending lip h, which is grooved on its outer side to receive the central portions of a spring it", formed of one piece bent nearly into the form of a circle, the two ends of the spring engaging the opposite sides of the, arm 72/. The spring h is attached rigidly to the lip h by means of a clamping-plate h and clamping-screw h This construction forms a very cheap and effective spring which is double-acting, which cannot get out of repair, and which can be quickly and easily replaced, if broken. The sleeve h is provided near its outer end with a recess h, in which is located a spiral spring 7L interposed between the end of the recess and the arm 72;, said spring being adapted to hold the inner end of the stem H, which is of greater diameter than the other portion of the stem, against the inner end of the sleeve 71 and to permit said stem to yield inwardly in a longitudinal direction when necessary. The vertical igniter-shaft G is also provided with a spring g interposed between the bottom of the valve-chest and the collar g for the same purpose. It will be seen that when the engine is in operation the vertical ignitershaft G will be continually rotated, thus bringing its electrode g into brushing contact with the electrode 7L2 of the horizontal stem H at each revolution. The horizontal stem H will be oscillated as the electrodes pass each other, and a spark will be produced within the valve-chest, which will' ignite the charge of explosive mixture. It will be observed that the igniter-electrodes are located substantially in the path of the incoming explosive mixture, which is comparatively cool and will take up heat from the electrodes and adjacent parts, thereby preventing them from becoming unduly heated. The construction of the igniter-stems and the manner of supporting them also prevents any undue strain from coming upon the electrodes or the operating mechanism therefor.

At one side of the valve-chest and communicating with the inlet-port f is a Valve-casing I for containing the valve which regulates the inlet of the explosive mixture to the valvechest. \Vithin the casin g I is a vertical sleeve or shell 2', provided with a series of horizontal apertures t".

I" represents the controlling-valve, which consists of a cylinder mounted upon a vertical stem '6 and provided with horizontal apertures 2' corresponding to those of the sleeve or shell 2'. The valve-stem 2' is connected with the governor, so that the valve will be raised or lowered as the speed of the engine increases or decreases, thereby moving the apertu res t with respect to the apertures t" to vary the quantity of explosive mixture passing through said apertures into the valvechest. In this instance I have shown the bal ance-wheel 0 provided with a governor comprising among its members two bell-crank levers pivoted at k k to said wheel adjacent to the hub. Each of said bell-cranks has a horizontal arm K, provided with a weight adjustable thereon,said arms being connected by a spring it. Each bell-crank is also provided with a vertically-disposed arm or arms K,which engage a sleeve 70 on the hub of the balance-wheel 0. As the speed of the balance-wheel increases the weighted arm K will move outwardly, thereby causing the sleeve 70 to slide longitudinally on the hub of the balance-wheel. I also provide another bellcrank lever having an arm L, provided with a yoke engaging a groove in the sleeve 70 and provided with a horizontal arm L, which is connected by a link Z with one end ola lever Z, which lever is pivotally connected to the lower end of the valve-stem i An arm 1' is secured to the lower end of the valve-casing I and provided with a series of apertures, and a link Z connects the lever Z with the support- .in -arm i said lever Z bein also rovided with a series of apertures. The apertures in the lever Z and the arm '6 are for the purpose .of securing the required adjustment of the lever Z, so that the governor will properly actuate the controlling-valve. A weight 6 is adjustably secured to the end of lever Z to move it in the direct-ion opposite to that in which it is moved by the governor.

Above the valve-casing I, secured thereto andcommunicating therewith, is a second valve-casin g l ,in which is located the suctionvalve 1 operated by the suction of the piston to admit air, which mixes with the gasolene or other material to form the explosive mixture. The valve-chamber I is provided with a horizontal partition 7?, provided with a valve-seat for the valve 1 and said valve is provided with a downwardly-extending stem i mounted in a suitable guide and provided with a spring V, which holds it firmly on its seat. The valve-stem i of the controllingvalve extends into the valve-chamber I and is in line with the suction-valve stem. At its upper end the valve-stem t is provided with screw-threads upon which a vertically-adjustable cap i is screwed, said cap being adjusted is supplied to the chamber 1 by means of a with respect to the valve-stem 2'. The object of this construction is that when the controlling-valve I is moved upward by the governor to partially cut oif the supply of explosive mixture the cap z' will approach the lower end of the suction-valve stem and prevent its opening to the full extent, thereby simultaneously cutting olf the supply of air. The air pipe Iflextending to the hood b of the cylinder, the air being drawn in through the holes I)? in said hood and being heated by contact with the head of the cylinder. The cylinder-head b will preferably be provided with a series of webs or flanges 19 (see Fig. 2) for the purpose of increasing its radiating-surface. The airinlet pipe I will also be provided with a cutofi valve consisting,in this instance,of a sheetmetal slide 1 mounted in a suitable guidingcasin g If, so that the supply of airthrough this pipe may be cut ofi? entirely when desired as, for instance, when the engine is being operated with gas instead of gasolene or other fluid, as hereinafter described.

The mechanism for supplying the gasolene or other liquid to the chamber I is as follows:

M represents a globular chamber having a stem which screws into the top of the chamber I and is provided with a central vertical aperture for the passage of a needle-valve. The chamber M is provided with two opposite apertures, in which are secured pieces of thick glass m, thus forming a sight-gage, as hereinafter described, by means of which the operator can observe the flow of the liquid. The chamber M or sight-gage is provided with a vertical tubular extension m, having a central oil-recess m and alateral tubular inlet communicating with said recess. The interior of the extension m is threaded to receive a vertically-adjustable needle-valve seat N, which is externally threaded and screws into the tubular extension m. This needle-valve seat is provided with a central longitudinal recess at, having an opening n in its side wall communicating with the central recess m of the tubular extension, so that the oil can fiow from said recess into the interior of the needie-valve seat. The upper end of said needlevalve seat is provided with a hand wheel or equivalent device 02 for turuin g the same and a jam-nut n for securing it in its adjusted position.

N represents, the needle-valve, which is rigidly secured to the suction-valve I and may be formed integrally with the stem of said valve. Said needle -valve extends up into the chamber M and has its pointed end engaging the recessed portion of the needlevalve seat, as shown. As the needle-valve is rigidly secured to the suction-valve, it will be seen that when the governor raises the controlling-valve to such a point that the adj ustable cap i engages and limits the downward movement of the suction-valve stem it will also limit the movement of the needle-valve N, so that the governor not only controls the be stored in a suitable reservoir 0, as indi- V cated in Fig. 7, from which it will be conducted by a pipe 0 to the tubular inlet m said pipe 0 being provided with a cut-off valve 0, so that the supply of material can be cut off entirely when it is desired to operate the engine with gas. I may also provide an additional valve 0 in the pipe 0 adjacent to the reservoir.

I have also made provision for operating the engine by means of gas when desired. To this end the casing I of the controlling-valve is provided with a tubular inlet 1 having connected therewith a pipe 1 in which is located a check-valve I and cut-01f valve 1 7 To this pipe I the pipe leading to the gassupply is connected. In order to supply the air to be mixed with the gas, I provide the lower portion of the casing I of the controlling-valve with an inlet-pipe I, provided with a valve 1 and for convenience in regulating the supply of air the handle I of said valve is provided with a pointer I, which passes over a graduated scale P on the upper face of the inlet-pipe 1 as shown in Fig. 11.

P represents what I term a starting-cup, having a perforated stem extending through the top of the valve-chest above the igniterelectrodes and provided with a detachable threaded cover p. By removing this cover a small quantity of gasolene can be introduced into the valve-chest and ignited for the purpose of starting the engine.

The operation of the engine is as follows: On

the outstroke of the piston a partial vacuum is produced within the cylinder, and simultaneously the inlet-valve f is raised, thus permitting a charge of the explosive mixture to be drawn into the valve-chest and through the port f into the cylinder. As the piston reaches the end of its outward movement the inlet-valve f is closed, and as the piston returns the charge is compressed in the cylinder until the piston reaches the extremity of its inward movement, when the charge is exploded by the igniter, thus driving the piston outwardly. When the piston reaches the extremity of its second outward movement, the exhaust-valve f is opened, and as the piston returns the exploded gases are forced out through the exhaust-port f into an exhaust-pipeQ, by which they are conducted to any desired point and discharged. This completes the cycle of movements of the engine. During the suction period the suction-valve 1 is opened and heated air is drawn into the valve-chamber 1 The needle- .valve is withdrawn from its seat to allow a quantity of gasolen'e or other suitable material to enter said chamber, where it mixes with the heated air and forms the explosive mixture, which is drawn into the cylinder.

When the engine is used with gasolene or other liquid, the cut-off valves 1 and I will be tightly closed, and when the engine is to be used with gas the cut-off valves 1 and 0 will be closed. In the latter case the gas will be drawn into the valve-casing I during the suction period and air will be drawn in through the air-inlet I and mixed with the gas to form the explosive mixture, which will be drawn into the cylinder.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame, of a plate or casting provided with means forsupportin g the valveactuating mechanism and means for detachably securing said plate or casting to the frame whereby said plate or casting and the mechanism carried thereby may be removed for repairs or adjustment, substantially as described.

2. In an explosiveengine, the combination with the main frame or base consisting of a hollow casing, of a plate or casting adapted to be secured to said casing and provided with portions adapted to extend into the interior of said casing, the valve-actuating mechanism mounted upon said inwardlyprojecting portions of said plate or casting and means for detachably securing said plate or casting to the said casing, substantially as described.

3. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame or base, of a plate or casting provided with means for supporting the valve-actuating mechanism,and provided with an aperture giving access to said mechanism through said plate, means for detachably securing said plate to said main frame, and a detachable closing-plate for said aperture, substantially as described.

7 4.. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame consisting of a hollow casing provided with an aperture therein, of a plate or casting provided with an aperture therein and having on one side supports for the valve-actuating mechanism, adapted 'to extend through the aperture in said casing, means for detachably securing said plate to the casing and a closing-plate detachablysecured to said plate or casting and closing the aperture therein, substantially as described.

5. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame, the crank-shaft provided with a driving-gear and the stems for operating the engine-valves, of a plate or casting provided with mechanism for engaging and operating said valve-stems, but unconnected therewith, said mechanism including a gear adapted to engage said drivinggear, and means for detachably securing said plate or casting to the main frame, whereby said plate and its connected mechanism may be disengaged from said driving-gear and valve-stem and removed for repairs or adj ustment, substantially as described.

6. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame, the driving-shaft provided with a driving-gear and valve mechanism, of a plateor casting, a cam-shaft mounted thereon, and provided with cams for operating the valvemechanism, said plate being also provided with gearing for driving said cam-shaft from the driving-gear, pivoted valve-lifters mounted on said plate or casting and interposed between the said cams and the valve mechanism, and means for detachablysecuring said plate or casting to the main frame, substantially as described.

7. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the main frame provided with a crankshaft and driving-pinion actuated thereby, 0f the valve-chest, the valves in said chest provided with longitudinally-movable stems, the vertical revoluble igniter-shaft provided at its lower end with a beveled gear, a plate or casting provided with a cam-shaft, supported thereby, cams on said shaft for operating said valves, a driving-gear on said cam-shaft for driving the igniter-shaft gear and means for detachably securing said plate to the main frame, substantially as described.

8. In a motor,the combination with a crankshaft, cylinder valve-box and valve-rods, of a casing inclosing the crank-shaft and having an opening, a plate removably secured to the casing, to cover said opening and forming a continuation of the casing a bearing carried by said plate, a counter-shaft mounted in said bearing and having a gear meshing with agear on the crank-shaft and valvegear carried by said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JESSE W'ALRATII.

Witnesses:

ELIZABETH S. BLAKE, a BYRON B. BLAKE. 

